Mayor: Departing Corrections Chief Maynard Should Be 'Proud' Of His Work

Updated: Wednesday, December 11 2013, 12:22 PM EST

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on Wednesday lauded outgoing state corrections chief Gary Maynard saying he should be proud of his work managing the state prison system.

During her weekly press conference reacting to Maynard's resignation Rawlings-Blake characterized his work as productive and successful, even in the wake of a scandal inside Baltimore's city jail which garnered national attention.

"I think the secretary served honorably...he should be proud of the work that he's done," Rawlings-Blake said. Bringing up the issue of the city jail scandal she said Maynard "worked with federal investigators, brought it to their attention…and addressed the issue."

At least eight corrections officers at the Baltimore City Detention Center were charged in a sweeping indictment which accused inmates of conspiring with officers to distribute drugs and cell phones inside the facility. Four of the female officers were impregnated by gang's alleged leader, Tavon White.

According to a federal indictment that was unsealed on April 23, 2013, 25 alleged Black Guerilla Family gang members and associates - including 13 female correctional officers and inmates - engaged in criminal activity in the Baltimore City Detention Center and related facilities. Another 19 members and associates, including 14 correctional officers, were also charged last month.

Governor Martin O'Malley's office announced on Tuesday that Maynard would step down from his current position to serve as Senior Vice President of the Criminal Justice Institute, the day before a legislative panel released its final report on reforms for the troubled city jail. Gregg Hershberger, who currently serves as the Deputy Secretary for Operations for DPSCS, will take over the department.

Maynard was appointed Secretary by O'Malley in 2007 after serving as Director of the Department of Corrections in Iowa, South Carolina and Oklahoma. During his tenure, Maynard closed the Maryland House of Correction and implemented strategies to drive down serious assaults on the staff in Maryland prisons.

Mayor: Departing Corrections Chief Maynard Should Be 'Proud' Of His Work

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